CUET Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)

Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) is a personalized current awareness service offered by libraries and information centers. Its primary purpose is to keep users informed about new resources and information that specifically match their ongoing interests of study, research or professional needs, saving them the time and effort of sifting through vast amounts of new materials.

How SDI Works

SDI operates based on a precise match between a user's stated interests and the information the library acquires:

• User Profile (Interest Profile): You, the user, create a profile that details your specific, long-term interests, research topics, or subject areas. This profile typically uses keywords, subject headings, classification numbers, or even specific authors and journals. *Example: A chemist might list "photocatalysis," "zeolite synthesis," and "environmental remediation" "heat" "energy etc."*
• Document Profile (Information Profile): The library creates a profile for every new document, article, book, or other resource it acquires. This profile uses the same indexing terms (keywords, subject headings) as the user profiles.
• Matching: The library's system (often automated) continuously compares the User Profile with the Document Profile of all incoming materials. When the terms in a new document's profile match the terms in your user profile, the system flags it as relevant.
• Notification: You receive a notification or alert (often via email) listing the relevant new materials, including bibliographic details (title, author, source, abstract). This notification is typically delivered on a scheduled basis (e.g., weekly or bi-weekly).

Benefits of Using SDI

SDI offers several key advantages for library users:

• Saves Time: You don't have to manually browse new arrivals, tables of contents, or run repeated searches in databases. The most relevant information comes directly to you.
• Ensures Comprehensive Coverage: The system monitors all new resources across many sources (journals, databases, books), ensuring you don't miss key publications in your niche area.
• Focuses on Specific Needs: Unlike general subject alerts, SDI is highly tailored to your unique, detailed, and often interdisciplinary research focus.
• Aids in Current Research: It helps researchers and professionals stay current with the absolute latest developments and cutting-edge research in their field.

Getting Started with SDI

To utilize the library's SDI service, you usually need to:

1. Contact the Library Staff: Speak with a reference library staff or information specialist.
2. Define Your Interests: Clearly articulate your subjects, research goals, and the types of materials you want to track.
3. Review and Refine: Occasionally, you may need to review the results you receive and adjust your profile's keywords to ensure accuracy and reduce irrelevant results (known as "noise").

SDI transforms the library from a passive repository into an active partner in your information-gathering process.